thenearshore | In A Crowd of Thousands

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In A Crowd of Thousands

Who: Hitsugaya, Goten, and Alibaba
What: Goten’s upset. Hitsugaya feels it and decides to check on him with Alibaba tagging along.
Where: Somewhere
When: September 21

[It hasn’t escaped Toushirou’s notice that something happened with Goten. There’s a sting coming from the back of his neck; the suddenness enough to have his distraction falter briefly during a spar with Alibaba. He barely manages to deflect a swipe at him, his sword coming up just in time to block it.

This wouldn’t be the first time that he’s been stung - Goten has stung him briefly once before and he felt the same from Alibaba a couple of times. However, this seemed to be different, a bit stronger now that it’s caught his attention and there’s some worry now for Goten. It’s what makes him signal Alibaba to stop.]

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[ Alibaba had stopped sparring anyway when his god's attention had wavered enough to barely deflect one of his strikes and he'd fallen back a few extra steps to give him some space. Looking a little worried, he lowers his blade and waits. ]

What's wrong? Did something happen?

...Sort of.

[The sting he feels makes him frown. He sheathes his sword and glances over at him.]

We'll have to cut our session short for today. I need to check on someone.

Someone? [ Alibaba looks perplexed. ] Just like that? Is it a prayer thing?

Not quite. It's another shinki.

[Now is a bad time to tell Alibaba that Hitsugaya actually has a nora shinki, but right now--] He's a shinki I named before you came, though he's with another god. At the moment, he's feeling upset.

[It explains why he's lost focus briefly.]

You're free to come with me to check on him, if you'd like.

[ That information has Alibaba freezing in surprise. His god has another shinki? One he'd never told him about?

His expression twists for a moment in surprise and a little hurt, but he's quick to push it away, not wanting Hitsugaya to worry more when something was obviously already wrong. Besides, it had happened before he'd even gotten here, how could he object to the fact that his god had needed a shinki before his arrival?

So he just manages a small, crooked smile instead and sheathes his small blade once more. ]

I don't... Wouldn't I just be in the way?

[It never came up.

But Toushirou eyes Alibaba for a moment, feeling that twinge of hurt.]

No, you wouldn't. [Not to mention it had been Goten's idea that he named him, anyway.] If anything, it'd be good for the two of you to meet each other and possibly cheer each other up.

[ He rubs his hand at the back of his neck and gives Hitsugaya a sheepish smile. ]

I don't know how good I'll be at that, but... I can try?

Just trying is enough.

[And depending on what state they find Goten in, it might definitely help.

Either way, he holds out his hand for Alibaba to take.]

[ Stepping closer, he takes a breath and takes Hitsugaya's hand, preparing himself to be teleported - even if it does still feel really weird. ]

[Keeping a firm hold of the shinki's hand, he teleports with him to wherever Goten is. Hopefully the other shinki is okay, though he's not sure what could be bringing Goten's mood down.]

[Goten has been flying all over the Far Shore in search of a certain shinki. It's his own stubborn to refuse that Izumo could just dissappear even though he's seen it happen countless times and lost his first two gods to it. But this is different. It's Izumo. Izumo was different so he had to be somewhere. He just had to be.

Between searching the Far Shore, he's been making periodic trips back to Aymeric's temple to check on his sleeping god in hopes he'll be awake. No luck. The longer this goes on the more worried and panicked he's feeling. What if Aymeric doesn't wake up? What if Izumo really is gone?

Shaking his head quickly, trying to not think about that. Goten walks out of the temple, rubbing his eyes. A few steps into the yard and he's is about to take off to search again when Hitsu and Alibaba appear behind him.]

H-Huh?

[Goten spins around, blinking at them. Even though he's startled by their sudden appearance he's almost relieved to see Hitsugaya--though his gaze slowly drifts curiously to the blond shinki. He rubs his face again.]

H-Hitsu, what are you doing here?

I came to check on you, and this is my shinki, Alibaba.

[He really hopes he doesn't have to say why.

Toushirou eyes him for a moment, seeing the way Goten had rubbed his eyes. His eyes flicker to the temple, almost waiting to see Aymeric come out, but something feels...off.

The god looks back at Goten.]

What happened?

[ Alibaba blinks at the kid who comes out of the temple, not having expected someone so... well. Little. Quickly pushing away his surprise when Hitsugaya greets him, Ali steps out to crouch down and offer the kid a crooked smile and hold out his hand in greeting. ]

Hi. I'm Alibaba. It's nice to meet you. Is everything alright? You look upset.

[He blinks at Alibaba, head tilting a bit. When the shinki introduces himself, his eyes widen a bit.]

Hi...um, it's nice to meet you. Hitsu talks about a lot. He's told me lots of good things. I'm Goten.

[Goten does smile, a little. It doesn't quite reach his eyes though. He is excited to meet the other shinki, finally, but with everything that's happened it's a little hard to be as bouncy as he usually is. Still he reaches out slowly and takes Alibaba's hand to return the greeting.]

I don't know what to do....

[Still holding onto Alibaba's hand, he squeezes it a bit as he looks up at Hitsugaya, frowning. Just looking at the god makes his eyes start to water again. Maybe Hitsu can help somehow.]

Everyone is staying Izumo is gone and I can't get Aymeric to wake up. It's been over a day. I donno what's wrong or what to do.

[Izumo? Toushirou recalls seeing the name on the network briefly, especially in explanation about seeing one of the temples blow up.

This explains a few things.

But Toushirou also knows he can't exactly give Goten false hope either, though he frowns at the mention of Aymeric as well.]

You can't sense your friend at all? What happened to Aymeric?

[It's not...unheard of for people to fall asleep for a strange amount of time.]

[ For the moment, Alibaba just stays quiet, letting Hitsugaya handle whatever's happening here, because he's not sure he understands. But he stays crouched by Goten, letting the shinki answer, hoping there was some way they could help him. ]

[Goten shakes his head quickly]

Uh-uh. I've flown all around the Far Shore since yesterday...

[It wasn't until yesterday afternoon he noticed he couldn't sense Izumo. Mikoto's sudden explosive-burst was a good hint to what happened too.]

I donno what's wrong with A-Aymeric. He usually wakes up early and stuff. I thought he was just tired so I let him sleep but its been over a day. No matter what I do, I can't wake him up. I splashed water, made loud noise. I even hit him...sorta hard in the side and he didn't move..

[Just talking about it makes his voice strain. He was running out of ideas and saying all out loud is making him feel more anxious. Izumo is gone. Aymeric isn't waking up--maybe he's dead but not-dead, Goten doesn't know!

He hiccups, rubbing his face again and sniffling.

There's probably another strong sting from just that. It's that sadness and worry that keeps building and building. The only things keeping his world from completely crashing down are the fact that Shizuo, Hitsu, Yona and a few other friends all are still around and he knows they are. But he loves Aymeric and Izumo so they have to be there too.]

Aymeric will be fine. If it's only been over for a day, then there's no cause for alarm, but I can check on him to make sure if you'd like. It wouldn't be the first time someone's slept for so long.

[Botan comes to mind, but he moves on.

If this Izumo person, however, is gone, then there's nothing Toushirou can really say to make Goten feel better. He glances at Alibaba briefly, a hint of a frown on his face before he returns his attention to Goten. He can feel the sting get stronger from the sadness and worry the god can feel from Goten.]

As for your other friend, perhaps take a day's break. It won't be good if you exhaust yourself trying to find your friend without taking some breaks in between.

[ Alibaba can't tell what Hitsugaya feels from the little shinki, but it's pretty obvious that Goten is barely keeping a handle on his emotions and Alibaba reaches out, resting his hand on top the kid's head as Goten rubs his hands against his face, trying to hold back tears. ]

Hey, kiddo, it's gonna be okay. Maybe... maybe your friend just had something really important he needed to do for a little bit, okay? [ He knows people vanish from here a lot, but that's harder to accept when you're someone like Goten's age, he bets. ] If he knew you were so upset, he'd probably worry about you, too, right?

When was the last time you took a break? Are you hungry? Or tired? [ Even if he suspected Goten might get prickly over a suggestion for a nap, but maybe after he ate? ] Why don't we go find something to eat while Hitsugaya goes to check on your god. Sometimes people just take really long naps here, right? [ He hasn't seen it yet, but he's heard. ]

Can you, Hitsu?

[Shizuo said something similar to that. Hearing Hitsugaya practically repeat that sleeping more then a day isn't to strange does ease those worries. But Izumo is still missing. He opens his mouth to protest taking a break and insist he's fine but the hand on top his head makes him stop and look to Alibaba.]

.....B-but I can't sense him even a little bit.. I should be able to do that...

[Izumo doesn't know how to hide his energy, at least, Goten doesn't think he can. He's never done it before. But the young shinki quickly shakes his head at the mention of food. He'll he just ask Izumo to make something when he finds him! He can hold out until then!]

Not-uh. I'm not hung-

[His stomach lets out a loud rumble, making him stop mid sentence. Averting his eyes, Goten pats his stomach. Whoops. He actually can't remember when he last ate. Between everything going on with Izumo and Aymeric....he was more focused on them then his stomach, for once. Of course he can't ignore it as well when it's pointed out.]

...Maybe a little.

I can.

[Upon hearing the initial growl of Goten's stomach, he nearly smiles, even if he is surprised that Goten has been holding back his hunger for so long to search for his friend and keep an eye on Aymeric.

He gives a nod to Alibaba.]

....Go take him to get something to eat. I'll check on his god. [He looks over at Goten.] And eat until you're full, Goten. [Especially considering how much Goten eats already--

He just hopes that the young shinki can actually still eat that much.]

[ Alibaba just waits until Goten's stomach betrays him and then gives the kid a warm smile before holding out his hand to him, patient. ]

We can handle that part, right, Goten? Why don't you show me where the kitchen is and we can see what we can come up with, huh?

[Goten looks between the shinki-god pair thoughtfully. He feels like he's slacking instead of looking for Izumo like he should be. But, maybe it would be okay to eat something quick. He won't be able to focus if his stomach keeps growling. Hitsugaya probably knows that...though he makes a face at the full comment.]

That'd take all day though...

[He's running on empty here. Still, Goten reaches out and takes Alibaba's hand, his smaller hand gripping it lightly. Even though Hitsugaya and Alibaba haven't done much other then show up...he feels better just having them there with him. Eventhough Maddragonra is around, he's felt alone with Aymeric practically dead to the world. But thats okay, Hitsugaya will know if something is wrong because he's super smart and strong. Telling himself that, he does manage a weak smile to Alibaba.]

It's this way.

[He starts gently pulling Alibaba into the house.]

Can you cook? If we're gonna make food, we gotta make some for Hitsu too 'cause I dont think he ever eats.

[....The god makes a small face at the words Goten's said, but he doesn't say anything.

Instead, he'll simply goes to where he senses Aymeric to be to check on the other god, allowing the two shinki some time to themselves in the meantime.]

I can cook a little. [ Alibaba gives Goten's hand a squeeze as he lets the kid lead him away, although he casts a glance over his shoulder at Hitsugaya as they part ways, giving him a wink in reassurance.

Turning his attention back to the kid at his side, Alibaba grins down at him. ] Don't worry, I'm sure Hitsugaya will figure out some way to help. He might not talk a whole lot, but he's really smart. In the meantime, are you hungry for anything in particular, or should we see if we can just grab a little of everything?

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In A Crowd of Thousands

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